Sermon by Rev'd Canon Dawn Davis
4th April 2010

Day of the Resurrection - Easter Day
 

A while ago I stumbled upon a facebook page called, ‘I like Jesus but he loves me, so its awkward."
 

Isn’t that cute and isn’t it true! Our relationship with God is totally unbalanced. Here we have on the one hand, absolute, omnipotent, all powerful love poured out unconditionally. And then on the other hand, we have moody, undisciplined, self-centered, limited humanity.
 

God’s love can be overwhelming, especially for us because we aren’t used to receiving anything, especially when we haven’t earned it. We are givers. We are the responsible ones.
 

See that is the thing about God’s love. We didn’t earn it, we aren’t responsible for it, we probably don’t deserve it. His love is so strong that if we have the courage to face our wrongs and ask for forgiveness, we are wholly and completely forgiven before we utter the words. Love so strong it can overcome the pain and power of everything, even the dark chasm of separation from loved ones through death.
 

We are loved so much that we were created with deliberate intent, we have been cherished into being, guided and empowered for the journey, supported and strengthened in times of need.
 

As the poet says in Psalm 8: 3-5
 

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour.
 

One of the strangest spiritual conundrums of our day is that we are probably some of the most materially blessed people of all time and yet a profound spiritual issue is that many of us can’t imagine that they are truly loved, that they don’t have to work for it, we don’t have to earn it.
 

Let yourself be open to love. Let the transforming love and power of God become real in our lives. Be the Easter person you have been created to be!
 

Oh, my goodness, wait a minute! I forgot something! I have one more egg! Here it is… at the feet of our dancers.
 

We aren’t suppose to keep this message of hope here in this place just for us. Let’s use our feet, or whatever means we have, to take this message of joy out so that we can share that love with the rest of the world. Make sure all lives – every race, economic situation, male or female – all lives are lived to the full intent that God has whispered into them, yearned for and wishes for all his children.
 

But you can’t share what you do not have. Receive God’s love. Let go of the awkwardness of this unbalanced relationship and receive the gift of new beginnings, hope that sees potential and possibilities, wisdom that claims the good and doesn’t do more harm. And then share and proclaim it to the world in word and deed this is a new day, a new beginning becasue I know my Redeemer Lives! Alleluia. Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!